By Fatou Dahaba
The European Union on Thursday launched its full Election Observation Mission for The Gambia’s 2026 presidential election, with Chief Observer Reinhard Lopatka affirming that the team will assess the entire process against national, regional and international standards.
Speaking at a press conference at the Ocean Bay Hotel in Cape Point, Banjul, Lopatka said the invitation from Gambian authorities underscored longstanding cooperation between Banjul and Brussels on democratic governance. “It is a testimony of our long-standing partnership and commitment to democratic values in favor of peace and prosperity,” he said.
Lopatka described the 2026 poll as a chance for The Gambia to build on democratic progress recorded in recent years. “The 2026 presidential election is an opportunity for The Gambia to continue to strengthen its democracy,” he told journalists. He stressed that the mission would examine the full electoral cycle rather than polling day alone, evaluating the process “in line with the Gambian legal framework, the international and regional standards and commitments.”
An eight-member core team of analysts arrived on 21 October and has been reviewing the legal, political and electoral environment while monitoring traditional media, television and online platforms. On Thursday, that team was joined by 16 long-term observers drawn from 15 European Union member states and Switzerland, who were deployed nationwide. Closer to election day, the mission will be reinforced by 20 short-term observers, a seven-member delegation from the European Parliament, and locally recruited short-term observers from EU states and partner diplomatic missions accredited to The Gambia.
Lopatka said the mission would remain in the country until 5 December to follow the counting of votes, the tabulation of results and any electoral dispute-resolution proceedings. He underlined the limits of the observers’ mandate. “I want to take the opportunity to remind the public that the EU election observation missions do not certify or validate election results,” he said. “This remains the sovereign responsibility of the relevant national authorities, namely in the Gambia, the Independent Electoral Commission.”
During his initial visit as Chief Observer, Lopatka met the Independent Electoral Commission, the Chief Justice, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the National Human Rights Commission, political parties, media representatives, civil-society groups, religious leaders and domestic observer organizations. He expressed the mission’s hope for “a competitive process, free from violence, where all opinions can be expressed and where voters can freely choose their representatives.”
Lopatka is scheduled to return in December. Two days after polling, the mission will present its preliminary findings at a press conference in Banjul.
